Florida Supreme Court

Witness to an Execution: State Rep. Dave Kerner Watches Murderer Die

"Write what you know" is the cardinal rule of creative writing, and it would seem to be even more important in the writing of legislation. Bad literature can be ignored; bad law, not so much. State Rep Dave Kerner has taken that thought to heart. Kerner (D-Palm Springs) has played a major role ... More >>

Marco Rubio and the Coffee Enema Couple Join Florida Tourism Board

The local personalities, egos, and public figures who swung through the news cycle this week, ranked by New Times' crack research department using a highly scientific algorithm (i.e., darts, board, hangover-shaky hands.)

Lauderdale Lakes Man Shot Over Loud Music

A man was shot and killed at a Lauderdale Lakes apartment complex at Whispering Pines, 4530 NW 36 street by an off-duty security guard early Thursday morning, according to police. The apparent reason? The man was playing his music too loudly, according to Broward Sheriff's Office spokesperson, Ke ... More >>

Should Florida Judges Be Allowed to Facebook Lawyers?

So like we were totally in traffic court the other day and who comes up as the presiding robe on my docket but ugh omg Judge Sanders -- right, the same creep-o who was jamming up my Facebook page with friend requests last spring break. I know, totally f-king awkward, right? Hellz no I never accepted ... More >>

Palm Beach Hat Trick: Judges in Chains; School Workers Rally; Dirty Campaign Dust-Up

We tried to get some comment this week from the attorneys representing Palm Beach Circuit Court Judge Barry Cohen, a famously outspoken liberal who's facing some of the most transparently bogus ethics charges ever to go before the Florida Supreme Court. No dice. Neither Scott Richardson nor Don ... More >>

A Boca Attorney Gets Disbarred and Other Local Lawyers Disciplined by Supreme Court

Every few months the Florida Supreme Court lays down the law on attorneys who've been acting a fool.Last time around the court doled out 22 reprimands, including the disbarment of five attorneys. This round is a bit more tame: 18 attorneys disciplined, including two who were disbarred and five who w ... More >>

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Looking to Fight Off Rising Nuclear Power Costs for FPL Customers

In 2006, the undaunted geniuses in the Florida Legislature came up with the Florida Renewable Technology and Energy Efficiency Act, a shady law that basically gives utility companies like FPL and Progress Energy Florida permission to charge customers for something that might be built or fixed, witho ... More >>

Those Accused of Drug Crimes Guilty Until Proven Innocent, Florida Supreme Court Decides

Good news, Florida druggies! You're no longer burdened by that whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing -- the Florida Supreme Court last week upheld a 2002 law that forces some defendants caught with drugs to prove their innocence, rather than placing the onus on prosecutors to prove anything. Ph ... More >>

Longtime Alcee Hastings Aide Mikel Jones Has Law License Suspended

Mikel D. Jones, a former aide to Democratic South Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings, has been suspended from practicing law pending further judgment from the Florida Supreme Court.Jones (and his wife) were convicted in November of conspiracy, money laundering, and multiple counts of both wire fraud and ma ... More >>

William Singbush, Slacker Judge in Marion County, Gets to Keep His Job

A strong message was sent late last week to Florida judges who think it's OK to habitually show up late to court proceedings for no reason: Meh, it's cool.Ocala Circuit Judge William Singbush has been the subject of an investigation by the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission, which was lookin ... More >>

Florida House Considering New Limits on Abortions

One of two abortion bills under consideration in the Florida House of Representatives seeks to significantly reduce the amount of time women have to request an abortion, and if it doesn't contradict a Florida Supreme Court ruling, it certainly sidesteps it.HB 839, which passed the Civil Justice ... More >>

South Florida Earns a Spot on the List of "Judicial Hellholes" for the Ninth Year in a Row

​Another year has just about gone by, which means it's time for South Florida to appear once again on the American Tort Reform Association's list of "judicial hellholes."Now every year since 2003 -- when they actually just picked Miami-Dade County -- South Florida has maintained its spot among ... More >>

Oba Chandler Set to Be Executed Today; Picked Salami Sandwiches for His Last Meal

Florida Department of CorrectionsOba Chandler, scheduled to die at 4 p.m. today.​Rapist/triple murderer Oba Chandler is scheduled to be executed at the Florida State Prison at 4 p.m. today, and he's already submitted the request for his last meal.According to Florida Department of Corrections spok ... More >>

Oba Chandler's Supreme Court Arguments Canceled; 12 Days Until Scheduled Execution

Florida Department of CorrectionsOba Chandler, scheduled to die in 12 days.​Arguments before the Florida Supreme Court in the appeal of triple murderer Oba Chandler's death sentence that were scheduled for Wednesday have been canceled, according to a filing from the clerk's office released just mi ... More >>

Oba Chandler Denied Yet Another Appeal of His Death Sentence, So He Filed Another Appeal

Florida Department of CorrectionsOba Chandler​Rapist and three-time murderer Oba Chandler's eighth attempt at appealing his death sentence was denied, and of course, he filed a ninth -- which may be the last attempt before his scheduled November 15 execution.Chandler's lawyer filed a motion in cir ... More >>

Rick Scott Uses an Executive Order to Complain About Florida Supreme Court Decision

memegenerator.netWhy you mad, though?​After the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Rick Scott's executive order to suspend rulemaking in the executive branch agencies was unconstitutional, he decided to issue a new executive order to complain about the decision.The court had ruled 5-2 that it's ... More >>

First Amendment Right to Blast Music to Be Considered by Florida Supreme Court

inquisitr.comThe Florida Supreme Court will decide whether this is your First Amendment right.​The issue of whether it's the First Amendment right of Florida drivers to blast obnoxious music from their cars way louder than anyone needs to will be heard before the Florida Supreme Court.The court sc ... More >>

Rick Scott, "Worst Governor Ever" Electee, Confirms He'll Seek Reelection in 2014

​It's no surprise by any stretch of the imagination, but Gov. Rick Scott has finally confirmed to the News Service of Florida that he's going to run for reelection in 2014.His announcement comes on the heels of being polled at the highest approval rating of his governorship -- 37 percent.He's stil ... More >>

Manuel Valle Execution Draws Florida Supreme Court Petition From Irish Neurologist

Florida Department of CorrectionsManuel Valle, sheduled to die tomorrow at 4 p.m.​The execution of convicted South Florida cop killer Manuel Valle has been petitioned in the Florida Supreme Court yet again over issues with the new lethal injection drug, this time with the objection of a Northern I ... More >>

Florida Supreme Court Quickly Dismisses Latest Manuel Valle Appeal

​Well, that was quick. Less than an hour ago, the Florida Supreme Court released a ruling saying the court will not hear the latest petition over issues with the new lethal injection drug to be used in Manuel Valle's execution.Yesterday, Northern Irish neurologist Dr. David Nicholl asked the court ... More >>

Manuel Valle Denied Stay of Execution by Florida Supreme Court; Death Date Remains

Florida Department of CorrectionsManuel Valle, scheduled to die on September 28.​South Florida cop killer Manuel Valle's petition asking for a stay of execution was denied today by the Florida Supreme Court.His scheduled date with death remains September 28, 2011, at 4 p.m.Valle's lawyers filed th ... More >>

Manuel Valle's Lawyers File Another Petition With the Florida Supreme Court

Florida Department of CorrectionsManuel Valle​The lawyers for South Florida cop killer Manuel Valle have filed a petition with the Florida Supreme Court over clemency proceedings for Valle and have asked the court to stay Valle's scheduled execution... again.Valle, 61, has been given a date to die ... More >>

411-PAIN Catches Attention of Florida Bar

Facebook.com​Several months after New Times raised questions about the 1-800-411-PAIN Referral Service, the Florida Bar is taking a closer look at the local company and its competitors.At its annual convention this summer, the bar held a public hearing on for-profit lawyer referral services. The b ... More >>

Manuel Valle's Execution Gets the Go-Ahead From Circuit Court Judge

Florida Department of CorrectionsManuel Valle, now sheduled to die on September 1.​Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jacqueline Hogan Scola cleared one more roadblock to the lethal juicing of South Florida cop killer Manuel Valle.After a hearing ordered by the Florida Supreme Court to decide the effectiven ... More >>

Maker of Drug Used in Florida Lethal Injections Asked Rick Scott Not to Kill People With It

Florida Department of CorrectionsManuel Valle, the subject of the current lethal-injection controversy in Florida.​Florida hasn't tested out the new lethal-injection drug it has planned to start using, but letters to Gov. Rick Scott from the drugmaker's president -- sent before Scott signed off on ... More >>

Casey Anthony Attorney Cheney Mason in the Clear for Flippin' the Bird After Verdict

mediaite.comCheney Mason giving was appears to be an unofficial legal opinion.​Casey Anthony defense attorney Cheney Mason is not facing a Florida Bar review after giving a celebratory middle-finger salute to the public shortly after the verdict was read Thursday.The Associated Press had reported ... More >>

U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Florida Law That Caps Medical Malpractice Damages

askmen.comFlorida law is very concerned about insurance premiums.​According to Florida law -- and now the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals -- doctors' sometimes-deadly mistakes have a financial limit: $500,000.The law was being challenged by Michelle McCall, who the Associated Press reports died afte ... More >>

High-Speed Rail Money Rick Scott Rejected Goes to Other States

Our friends in New York, Chicago, Detroit, and California are now benefiting from the questionable fiscal decisions of Florida's Tea Party governor. Thanks, Governor, for sending money to our friends up north.​They're receiving a large portion of the $2.4 billion in federal funds for a high-speed ... More >>

Rick Scott Sure Gets You Riled Up (Misleading Supreme Court Judges Doesn't Hurt)

​It would appear that when a suspected fraudster gets elected governor and then uses questionable methods to achieve goals that he won't explain to anyone -- the man even refuses to use email so we won't know what he's thinking -- the public actually still cares. When Rick Scott does something fun ... More >>

Judges Meet, Expect Florida Court Crisis To Soon Hit Broward

Outgoing Chief Judge Victor Tobin called a closed-door meeting of all 90 Broward judges this afternoon to discuss a budget shortfall that is threatening to shut down courthouses across the state. During the meeting, the idea was raised to "call the bluff" of Rick Scott and the Florida House and ... More >>

Another Big Law Firm Implodes

Hometown phenom makes Final Four with UK​-- With all state schools now out of March Madness, you must do the right thing: Root for hometown boy and basketball prodigy Brandon Knight. abovethelaw.comAdorno​-- The Daily Business Review has an interesting story about the implosion of another l ... More >>

Howard Steven Ault's Claims That an Abnormal Brain Caused Him to Kill Rejected by High Court

Ault may be brain damaged, but he's still going to spend his life in prison.​Howard Steven Ault has an abnormal brain. Defects in areas that process memories and emotions make him incapable of taking in data the way most people do -- common problems among fellow pedophiles. And so, his attorneys h ... More >>

Miami Appeals Court Rules Against Florida's Gay Adoption Ban

Flickr: SF BartGay parents at a recent pride parade in San Francisco.​Florida is the only state to specifically ban adoption by gay and lesbian couples, but that may soon change. The Florida Third District Court of Appeals has ruled that the ban was unconstitutional. The ban will now head to the F ... More >>

Morning Juice: Police Hear Threat From Frankel; Rothstein Manager Denies Knowledge of Scheme

​End of the week. End of the month. Let's see what's in the local news.Hollywood Police now say that the fatal shooting Wednesday of 13-year-old Daniel Torres by a 14-year-old friend is believed to be an accident. Torres stayed home from school that day because he was being bullied by classmates. ... More >>

Gambling Compact Bounced From Committee; Setback for Crist, LeMieux

​In yet another demonstration of Charlie Crist's plummeting stock in the state Republican Party, a legislative committee has rejected the compact his office hammered out with the Seminole Tribe last year that would have allowed the Seminoles to keep theirLas Vegas-style games in exchange for a ... More >>

Then There Were Three (Candidates for U.S. Attorney in South Florida)

The next U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida will be either David Buckner, Willy Ferrer, or Daryl Trawick. They were selected by the Judicial Nomination Commission following interviews this month of 16. All three finalists are members of Miami's legal community -- Buckner in private p ... More >>

Supreme Court Speaks; Will Gardiner Skate?

So the Florida Supreme Court just accepted the State Attorney's motion to vacate the death penalty conviction of Omar Loureiro. Now we'll have a new murder trial, but there won't be an evidentiary hearing into the allegations against Judge Ana Gardiner. In other words, Gardiner, who broke judi ... More >>

Seminoles: Senate Version of Compact, Please

The Florida House and Senate have both drafted legislation that would dramatically alter the games at Seminole casinos. Either the Tribe's profits will take a huge leap back or huge leap forward.The House version scales back the games that the Tribe can offer, eliminating card games so that the casi ... More >>

Floridians Brace for Boring Weather Conversations; Prisoner Escapes by Using Dullness

South Florida is under a windchill warning, and while I'm not a weatherman, it is currently so cold outside that I'm issuing a Boring Weather Conversation Alert. You're probably not familiar with the aforementioned and recently invented alert, so here's how it works: When the weather in Florida is m ... More >>

True Justice On "False Light"

10-S-N-E-1?

Pay Through the Nose

Some News For You

Bad Times Charlie

Jack Don't Know Jack

Why will the right-wing crusader likely lose his license? Swastikas are just the start.

Judge and Jury

Judge Lazarus takes justice into his own hands in the Keith Wasserstrom trial

This Bad House

The Nuisance Abatement Board’s war on blight has had some unintended casualties in West Palm Beach — most of them poor

Minority Madness

Wisecracking Democrats in Tallahassee were steamrollered during the presidential contest. But they didn't take it lying down.

Undercurrents

Saving Private Smith

Dead Man Waiting

Billy Elledge brutally raped and murdered a woman in Hollywood 25 years ago. He has sat in prison since then, evidence that Florida's death penalty isn't working.